Elegoo Centauri Carbon: An In-Depth Review of an Innovative 3D Printer
The 3D printing industry has seen remarkable advancements, presenting consumers with an array of options and increasingly accessible pricing. Among these promising innovations, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D Printer stands out as one of the most affordable enclosed printers on the market. Elegoo provided us with a unit to assess its capabilities and determine if it indeed meets the demands of both beginners and experienced users alike.
Introducing the Elegoo Centauri Carbon
With a strong foothold in the 3D printing domain and a reputable track record of products like the Neptune series, Elegoo has now ventured into Core-XY printer technology with the launch of the Centauri Carbon. This model is designed to be beginner-friendly, making it an enticing option for newcomers to the realm of 3D printing.
What sets the Centauri Carbon apart is its commitment to ease of use. Arriving largely pre-assembled, users can dive into 3D printing with minimal delay—just a handful of steps, like attaching the top glass panel, are required. The inclusion of all necessary tools and instructions simplifies this process, although lifting the printer from the box may require a helping hand due to its robust construction.
Specifications of the Elegoo Centauri Carbon
The Centauri Carbon is engineered for speed and efficiency. It boasts an impressive maximum print speed of 500mm/s and accelerations of up to 20, 000 mm/s². These specifications are backed by an enclosure made of durable die-cast metal, enlivened with a sleek space-gray finish.
The build volume measures 256 x 256 x 256mm, striking a balance between compact design and versatility suitable for FDM applications. The hot end can achieve temperatures of up to 608ºF (320ºC), while the heated build plate reaches 230ºF (110ºC). This compatibility extends to a variety of filament materials including PLA, PETG, ABS, and more, thanks to its dual-sided print bed designed for optimal adhesion.
Moreover, the printer is equipped with an efficient built-in cooling system featuring multiple fans to maintain peak performance and prevent heat-related issues, ensuring consistent print quality.
Getting Started: Printing Your First Object
New users will find comfort in the Centauri Carbon’s user-friendly design that eliminates the guesswork associated with 3D printing. The printer performs all necessary calibrations—including auto-leveling—ensuring users achieve strong first-layer adhesion and, ultimately, high-quality prints.
Upon completion of its self-diagnostics, the printer seamlessly connects to local Wi-Fi, and users can utilize the included Elegoo Slicer software on their Windows devices. A USB drive comes pre-loaded with the software and several test prints, making the setup even more straightforward.
For the inaugural print, I opted for the famed Benchy, a benchmark model renowned for testing printing accuracy. Its quick 30-minute print time allows for a fast evaluation of the printer’s performance.
Utilizing the provided Elegoo PLA filament and maintaining standard settings, the Benchy turned out impeccable — smooth finishes with no visible defects. This impressed me greatly, affirming the printer’s capabilities.
Software Features and Usability
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon comes with exclusive access to Elegoo’s intuitive Slicer software, which offers a user-friendly interface. Users are not mandated to use this software exclusively, as compatibility with other slicers is assured, allowing you to select the one that complements your workflow the best.
Those familiar with Orca Slicer will appreciate the similarities, since Elegoo’s Slicer is derived from it. Features and performance mirrors that of the Orca, making the transition smooth.
While using the Slicer was generally pleasant, it does come with a mild learning curve for novices. Detailed research will help understand the software settings effectively. The solution allows accessing the web interface remotely from devices on the same network, echoing how shared printers operate.
The software features a live webcam view for a real-time glimpse into your printing process, ensuring you can monitor your prints even when not physically present. Notably, the printer is outfitted with a 4.3-inch touchscreen interface for intuitive access to settings adjustments post-file transmission.
While sending files via Wi-Fi mostly performs without issues, I encountered a situation where the Slicer failed to transmit files intermittently. Reconnecting the printer resolved the issue. For those aiming for simplicity, utilizing the USB stick for file transfer is always an alternative route.
Hands-On Experience with the Carbon Centauri
Equipped with numerous preloaded files, I decided to explore the Centauri’s capabilities further. A printed Eiffel Tower demonstrated the printer’s prowess without the need for additional supports, yielding an excellent result with only a few stray strings needing adjustment post-print.
In addition, I attempted printing a vase with openings without supports (using a third-party PLA filament); while the print quality was generally commendable, a few holes became merged, indicating the need for careful calibration.
A standout feature is the included “poo bucket” attachment designed to collect purged filament, keeping your workspace clean and organized.
Lastly, I explored printing modular designs, which allow for moving parts to be created in a single print. These prints turned out exceptionally well and functioned as intended, showcasing the printer’s versatility.
Overall, prints produced using the recommended Elegoo PLA filament excelled in quality, attributed to perfect calibrations for optimal results. However, experimenting with other filament brands introduced minor imperfections, which were likely due to misaligned settings rather than printer faults.
Efforts to print with multiple colors using the Centauri require extra time and patience, as it can handle only one filament color at a time. Users must complete sections individually and assemble them. Despite initial concerns, the user manual provided comprehensive guidance for filament swaps.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D Printer stands out for its performance and user-friendliness. While it has limitations—such as noise during operation and the occasional calibration challenge—it largely delivers excellent output. Offered at a competitive price of $299.99, pre-orders are open, with expected shipping before June 30, 2025. For both beginners and experienced enthusiasts, this printer holds great promise in the world of 3D printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the build volume of the Elegoo Centauri Carbon?
The build volume of the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is 256 x 256 x 256mm, providing ample space for various 3D printing projects.
2. How does the Centauri Carbon handle different filament types?
The Centauri Carbon is equipped with a dual-sided print bed that supports a variety of materials, including PLA, PETG, ABS, and beyond, ensuring versatile printing capabilities.
3. Is the Elegoo Slicer software easy to use for beginners?
While the Elegoo Slicer has a user-friendly interface, there’s a slight learning curve for newcomers to 3D printing. It is straightforward with proper research, and resembles other familiar slicers like Orca Slicer.
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